On nine of the 13 measures, Minnesota's performance relative to the rest of the nation has fallen. On the other four measures, there was no change.

As Van Wychen points out, one of the most disturbing trends is in the area of job growth. Minnesota ranks 39th in employment growth since 2001; in other words, only 11 states have done worse than Minnesota in job growth.

From 2002 to 2009, total U.S. employment increased by 2.5 percent; meanwhile, the number of jobs in Minnesota fell by one percent.

The report identifies several other disturbing trends. From 2002 to 2008, median household income grew by one percent nationally, but shrunk by three percent in Minnesota. While the typical U.S. family income has increased, the typical Minnesota family income has declined.

In education, Minnesota's rank on pupil-teacher ratios in public schools slid from 25th to 37th since 2002, while our rank in the percentage of students performing at or above the "basic" level in math and reading slipped from third to eighth.

Minnesota's ranking on the condition of its roads has fallen dramatically from eighth to 27th.

In general, Minnesota's performance relative to other states has slipped during the "no new tax" era. The state is headed in wrong direction.